Livelihood Program Officer at Mercy Corps

Program / Department Summary

• Mercy Corps has been present in Nigeria since 2012, focusing its interventions on humanitarian assistance, economic development, and conflict mitigation. With the ongoing insurgency in Northeast Nigeria causing the displacement of millions of individuals, Mercy Corps started its humanitarian response in 2014 to address the rising humanitarian needs.
• As the crisis has persisted, Mercy Corps’ strategy has also expanded to address the root causes of the conflict and seek to build the long term resilience of communities with integrated programs focusing on governance, the recovery of markets and livelihoods, social cohesion and social protection, youth empowerment, and local conflict management.

General Position Summary

• The Livelihood Program Officer is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of Borno Agricultural Development Initiative (BADI) livelihood interventions in Northeast Nigeria (Borno state).
• Livelihood Program Officer will work closely with the Program Manager, Team Leader, MEL team, and operations staff (including finance and operations) to ensure that activities are implemented according to schedule, budget and required quality.

Essential Job Functions
Strategy and Vision:

• Recognize opportunities to evolve the current humanitarian portfolio into a more effective and impactful portfolio addressing the changing needs of conflict-affected populations.
• Contribute to country-wide strategy development.

Representation and Coordination:

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with communities, local authorities and other stakeholders.
• Ensure effective coordination with relevant working groups, UN, ICRC and colleagues I/NGO agencies.

Program Management - Livelihood Interventions:

• Coordinate with MEL team to map, identify and register program participants.
• Lead in the selection of beneficiaries with support from MEL Team & LG Agriculture Extension workers.
• Lead in the identification and strengthening capacity of village agents on village savings and loan association (VSLA) methodology
• Identify reliable and trusted members locally to be seed multipliers
• Build the capacity of the extension workers on areas of GAP, Farming as a business, Perma and sack gardening and climate-smart agriculture.
• Coordinate the sensitization of beneficiaries.
• Facilitate training of seed multipliers on financial literacy, bookkeeping and smart saving practices.
• Lead the market assessment to ascertain the most profitable skills in the intervention locations.
• Work with operations (procurement) to select a financial service provider (FSP) for cash / voucher disbursement.
• Ensure effective community engagement to create an enabling environment and ownership.
• Submit monthly program update including success stories to supervisor.

Team Management:

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Identify any gaps or capacity needs within the team and ensure training and capacity building is incorporated into program planning.

Security:

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Other:

• Conduct himself / herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• None

Works Directly with:

• Program Manager, MEL Team, Agric Market Systems Officer, Finance, Program and Operation teams

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, Social Sciences or relevant field required.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience working on the development, implementation, administration and compliance of a field-based international development or humanitarian program; specifically, in economic recovery.
• Prior experience implementing livelihoods programs is essential, preferably in conflict settings.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders to identify beneficiaries according to criteria required.
• Experience with running assessments, monitoring and evaluation and other learning efforts required.
• Prior experience working with savings groups especially village saving and loan associations (VSLAs)
• Experience representing the organization and its interests to a diverse range of local and international government officials, local civil society organizations, other international organizations, the media and the public.
• Commitment to renewing and maintaining knowledge of best practices
• Demonstrated training and facilitation experience
• Ability to work under pressure
• Demonstrated strengths in analytical skills, monitoring and evaluation, and report writing
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills
• Fluency in English; fluency in Hausa is required.

Success Factors

• Must be able to work independently and show initiative. Strong leadership, communication, and management skills are essential.
• Understanding of humanitarian principles and their application to program implementation is required.
• Ability to supervise, mentor and coach a diverse team.
• Must be able to problem-solve and multi-task on a range of administrative and programmatic issues.
• The ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel is required.
• The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours. Team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions:

• The position is based in Damboa, Borno State and it requires frequent travel to field offices in and around Damboa and Biu.